Curing HIV: New Technique Alters Genes to Repel HIV

New research “involves the first use in humans of ‘gene editing,’ a treatment that zeros in on a particular gene and disables it,” a technique that may alter genes to resist HIV, according to The New York Times. “In 12 people infected with HIV, scientists used the technique to get rid of a protein on the patients’ immune cells that the virus must latch onto to invade the cells. Cells were removed from the patients, treated and then dripped back into their bloodstreams through an intravenous line.” The technique may obviate the need for patients to take antiviral drugs.